An accountant gets in touch with her artsy side.

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Growing in Unity 2018 Day 5

Well I can’t believe it is the last day of my week. I truly have loved this opportunity that Unity gave me to showcase their stamps. I have also loved reading all of the comments and appreciate those who take the time to leave their thoughts. Remember that on Sunday evening I will randomly draw two winners from all of the comments left this week. The winners will receive a grab bag of 25 stamps graciously donated by Unity Stamp Company. In addition I will draw a third winner of 3 new Distress Oxide Inks that I have doubles of.

For my last day I decided to try and use some of the freebies that Unity has sent me. For those of you who don’t know, they send some gifts each month with the Kit of the Month (KOM) and the SMAK kits. There are also sometimes a surprise with a regular order. Below is a picture of these gifts that I hadn’t had a chance to put away yet, but had just kind of let accumulate. As you can see there is quite a variety here.

Because I was filling a spot that opened up, I only had a couple of weeks to get ready for GIU week so I didn’t get to make as many things as I was hoping to, but you can get the idea of some of what can be done with these fun extras.

First up were a couple of card bases from the stash. On the red card I stamped the butterfly and sentiment from February 2017 KOM called Unexpected Places in Versamark and put White Pearl embossing powder on it. When I heat embossed it, it turned out more silver than white. I assume that is because some of the red was showing through. Also from the Unity stash I took the string of clear beads and put them around the butterfly and down the side. I used a thin double sided tape called Scrappy Tape that held it pretty well. I added some crystal flowers that I had and seemed to go with the string of beads. On the kraft base I added a tag received from Unity (I received a lot of tags from Unity). I heat embossed the sentiment from the Lasting Thoughts set and then used Distress Oxide inks on them. I also used a brush to splatter on the kraft card base. Some washi tape that I had on the side and bottom of the tag and it was done.

I used two more tags and a cute cloth bag for these. The tags used sentiments from Lasting Thoughts and Something within that were heat embossed and then distressed with Distress Oxide inks. Some washi tape finished them. The squirrel is from September 2017 KOM called Flowers, Foliage, and Fall. I stamped it with brown Stazon ink and will probably fill it with nuts and put in a Christmas stocking.

I impulsively purchased a pack of 36 small cans of Pringles while I was at Costco. The first time I opened a can, I thought I should be able to do some with this (in true crafter fashion) so I started to save them. I searched Pinterest and there was this cool idea to make an Advent tree using these little cans. I thought that could work and there would be plenty of room to put something in each day for a family to share. I cut circles on my Cricut Explore to fit the lid from a Christmas paper stack by DCWV. The stamps I used are from a Donna Downey set called Advent. This is a huge set that comes in two packages. It includes these wonderful ideas and thoughts for each day of Advent. It also includes large numbers 0-9. The numbers were too large for my tops, so I ended up using another number set that I had. I was able to use the Unity gift stash for the embellishments. There were cute snowflakes, bells, red cording, etc. I was only able to make five before I needed to stop and actually take pictures to make this post. When I get the rest done and put together in either a tree or wreath shape I will try and post it.

I am in awe. These projects were so good. There have been several times that I have grabbed the most recent Unity thank you gift and used it in whatever card I was trying to finish up. It’s like, “how did they know?”

Thank you for a wonderful week. I too like to challenge myself with my goodies from Unity. I keep they all together and made a card, but do not see any way to attach a picture to show you. I love to challenge myself to making something just for the interest and challenge. Your week was fantastic. Thank you for sharing so much with us

I’ve really enjoyed your week, Denise! I love the projects you shared today… particularly the tags! I have a bunch of Unity tags and I never seem to know what to do with them. Thanks for the inspiration!

I love to do projects like this, take the freebies and make something with them. These are fabulous, I love that you stamped the squirrel of justice on the burlap bag from the bundle earlier this Summer! 😊

What awesome projects!!!! Love using the tags on the front of a card, WHY have I not done that yet??? and the Pringles cans for an Advent Calendar, how awesome is that????!!!! I am going to have to try that myself!!! What is the best way to clean the insides of the Pringles can?? Thank you so much for inspiring such creativity this week!! Thoroughly enjoyed your week, hope you did too!!! Have a great weekend Denise!!!!

Thank you. Right now all I have done is wipe them out with a damp paper towel. Because Pringles really aren’t that greasy, it seems to be fine. I will tell you that the circle is 2.8 inches in diameter and the wrap is 3 1/8 x 9 1/2 inches.

Thanks for showing how you use the free things. I’ve just been putting them on a pile. I’ve also loved seeing you use the KOM….sometimes it is inspiring just to see them used as I may have forgotten I have the same stamp!

Beautiful job this week! My favorite project is the advent calendar made with pringles cans. As a mom of three boys, this is perfect for our family. Thank you for sharing your work this week. I have enjoyed all your creations.

Great ideas. Thanks for the inspiration! And I can’t wait to see the finished Advent Tree or Wreath project when you’re done….it will be amazing. Just a lovely week of creativity you’ve had. What a joy! Enjoy your weekend!

What an awesome bunch of ideas to use up those free goodies Unity is so generous to send. I have a bag full that I haven’t used! I love Advent calendars so I really love the cute idea of the Pringles cans. I have ‘Advent(full) Season’ which is an awesome set to use, too! Thanks so much for such a fun week!!

I am in awe of your creative energy! You have done so much in such a short amount of time and all wonderful and innovative! Today’s post really fits in great with the current Unity Show and Tell Challenge, “Not a Card”. Thanks for a wonderfull week! I learned a lot and got some great ideas from you!

Wow! You have made such an amazing array of projects for your GIU week. Just WOW! I love the squirrel bag to fill with nuts. I know exactly who I will be making this for ! Thanks for an incredible week of inspiration and ideas 💕